The viscount sighed, moving to hold his daughter close to him.
“My sweet Martha,” he cooed. “I understand this must be disconcerting, especially since the whole idea of courting and marrying Lord Billington is still so new to you. But that’s just the thing. It’s new to the ton, as well. They can’t resist discussing rumors on all things that are new to them. But in time, they will forget all about you and Lord Billington. They’ll move onto another, more interesting story, and leave the two of you alone.”
Martha didn’t say a word. She just let her father console her while her thought spun wildly. She thought about the final line she had read in the scandal sheets:
Does Miss Elwood Condone Mistreatment of Servants?
On the one hand, very few members of the ton saw servants as little more than worker mules with language skills. It was not uncommon for wealthy Londoners to shove their servants into miserable sleeping quarters, feed them gruel and stale bread, and work them tirelessly. However, whenever a nobleman or a wealthy family ever became physically abusive, those stories always made the papers.
It hadn’t happened often. But Martha knew that most members of the ton took such claims seriously. And when those rumors applied to a man who was so intensely disfigured, she knew how much more interesting that would make them. She knew her father meant well. But she had a terrible sinking feeling that no one would ever let such rumors go.
“You don’t believe that rubbish, do you?” the viscountess asked, reaching around her husband and patting her daughter’s arm.
Martha looked at her mother silently. She didn’t want to say what Lily had told her. Perhaps, she might have, if she had believed him to be guilty of such atrocities. But deep down, she didn’t believe he was capable of such cruelty. Being distant and being cruel and abusive were two different things. And something in her heart just told her that he was not the latter.
“No,” she said at last. “But I do worry about what effect this kind of thing will have on our relationship. Especially so early on.”
Her father chuckled, patting her arm before rising and fetching the rest of the paper from the table and returning to his original seat.
“You fret too much, my dear,” he said. “I assure you, this can have no negative impact on your relationship. Lord Billington is taken with you. And he has made quite the impression on you, I believe. None of this ton business will matter. I promise, darling.”
Martha nodded again, but she wasn’t reassured. That wasn’t quite what she had meant by her words. She knew how aloof and cold Lord Billington could be. Something like these recent rumors could be just the thing that make him revert back to that. And now that she knew who the viscount could be, she could not bear the thought of him being any other way.
She wanted to say more. But the butler stepped into the room, and Martha’s heart stopped. She knew before the butler announced the arrival of Lord Billington that that’s who it must be. She quickly fetched her water cup and busied herself with taking a long drink. She couldn’t let him see her expression. Though she doubted very much that he had been spared the latest issue of the scandal sheets, she didn’t want him to see her reaction to them.
When she could at last muster a weak smile, she rose, turning to face her suitor. Despite her nerves, she couldn’t help noticing how handsome he was in his dark green suit. It was embroidered in light gold, and she couldn’t help thinking about how well their outfits complimented each other. She also couldn’t help being mesmerized by his pale blue eyes, even as they stood in the presence of her parents. She couldn’t believe how the effect he had on her intensified each time she saw him.
“Good morning, Lord Billington,” her father said cheerily, breaking the silence and the spell.
The younger viscount bowed, and Martha and her mother curtseyed.
“Good morning to you, Lord Elwood,” he said. “And to you as well, Lady Elwood.” Lord Billington paused, giving Martha a warm smile. “You look lovely today, Miss Elwood.”
Martha blushed, dipping her head to collect herself. For the life of her, she couldn’t see any indication that the younger viscount had any knowledge of the scandal sheets. Was it possible that he had missed the paper that morning? Could it be that he didn’t yet know?
“Would you care to join us for our after breakfast tea?” the viscountess asked.
Lord Billington shook his head, smiling politely.
“That’s very kind of you,” he said. “But I had tea with my parents, just before coming here.”
Martha cursed silently. If he had stopped for any length of time with his parents that morning, he must have read the paper. So, why was he behaving so calmly?
Martha listened as her father and her to-be betrothed exchanged more pleasantries, but she wasn’t listening. She was trying, as slyly as she could, to get any indication of whether Lord Billington knew anything about the paper. She had no idea what she was supposed to do. But she didn’t want to mention it if he hadn’t yet seen it. Nor did she want to ignore the issue if he had. Her mind raced, and she prayed for any sign that he might know what she knew. And yet, as far as she could see, there was none.
“Martha,” her mother said in a hushed tone. “Truly, you must stop fretting. Do not let this gossip thing ruin the picnic.”
Martha looked at her mother sharply, sure that the younger viscount had heard her. But he was still smiling and chuckling as he spoke with Martha’s father. She turned back to her mother, preparing to respond, when Lord Billing spoke her name.
“Yes?” she asked, smiling widely to cover the fact that she spoke up too quickly.
The younger viscount extended his arm to her, still giving her his usual warm smile.
“Are you ready to leave?” he asked.
Martha cast one final helpless glance at her mother, who didn’t falter on her cheerful smile. She would get no further reassurance from her parents, and she was about to be alone with the viscount, apart from Lily, who was chaperoning. She had no choice but to put on her best, warmest smile and give him a nod as she approached him.
“I am,” she said, motioning to Lily. Unlike her parents, her lady’s maid didn’t make any effort to wear a pleasant expression. She kept her eyes to the ground, and her cheeks were still pallid. Martha sighed inwardly. She prayed that whatever happened, the day wasn’t too awkward.
